Ever since Dog Soldiers and 28 Days Later.. hit the UK horror scene, British horror fans have been awaiting a new horror renaissance that never really materialised. Danny Boyle went off to make the comedy-drama Millions (to be released Dec 3rd) but Neil Marshall seemed to drop off the radar. So what is he up to now, and does he have any projects on the go?

Thankfully UK magazine Total Film has been featuring a regular column by Neil Marshall for a few months now, and it seems the Dog Soldier has not one, but two projects almost ready to go.

The first, Outpost is about a group of zombies on a North Sea oilrig, and the final script revisions have now been signed off by the Film Council. The script stands at the second draft, and is now involved in a development deal with Pathe who are (to quote the Marshall man himself) "desparate to make the film next year".

His second film, The Dark is also underway, with pre-production already rolling ready for an October shoot with Celador Films. The Dark is a fear-fest about six women on a caving trip who encounter something in the dark.
NM: "It deals with claustrophobia and latent psychosis triggered by betrayal, all wrapped up in a hostile environment, topped off by a life-threatening situation. It is about darkness, external and internal: literal, emotional and psychological."

Phew, swallow a dictionary for that pitch did you? Still, it all sounds promising, so good luck for both projects. British horror fans are behind you all the way.